Support device for catalyst in reaction pipes



Nov. 10, 1970 R MEVENKAMP ETAL 3,539,304

SUPPORT DEVICE FC'R CATALYST IN REACTION PIPES Filed July 17. 1967 United States Patent Office 3,539,304 SUPPORT DEVICE FOR CATALYST IN REACTION PIPES Paul Mevenkamp, Lichtendorf-Schwerte, and Hans-Dieter Marsch, Dortmund, Germany, assignors to Friedrich Uhde GmbH., Dortmund, Germany, a corporation of Germany Filed July 17, 1967, Ser. No. 653,813 Int. Cl. B01j 9/04 U.S. Cl. 23288 2 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A device for supporting the catalyst in a reaction pipe installed vertically in a furnace for carrying out catalytic processes. The weight of the catalyst is taken up in the reaction pipe above the bottom of the reaction chamber by means of a device through which the weight is transferred to a cooler section of the reaction pipe. Such device includes a catalyst support pipe, which is insulated both on the inside and outside and has a grate for the catalyst at its upper end.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In general there is used for the carrying out of catalytic processes on the industrial scale a furnace which exhibits a great number of reaction pipes. The catalyst used is found in these pipes. A stream of liquid or gas is led through the pipes for the accomplishment of the chemical reaction. In order to hold the catalyst in the reaction pipes at the end of each pipe a device is employed which allows the passage of the product of the reaction, but not the passage of the catalyst. When the catalyst is changed, the support devices must be removed.

There are now known a great number of constructions for supporting the catalyst. Thus for this purpose there are used perforated sheets of metal or the like, which are attached directly at the ends of the reaction pipes, or instead are held by means of special supporting devices. Tension rings are used as holding devices. There are also known devices which are braced resiliently against the pipe wall under the pressure of the catalyst supports imposed on them. It has already been proposed to provide the portion of the reaction pipes found under the floor of the reaction chamber with an inner insulation, with which there is provided, among others, the possibility of leading the product of the reaction through a central pipe, which is arranged in the lower part of the reaction pipe. Between this central pipe and the reaction pipe there is found the insulation which causes the temperature of the pipe wall to be reduced quickly below the furnace temperature.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with this invention, a device is produced which not only allows the removal of the product of the reaction through a central pipe and the establishment of an insulation between this central pipe and the reaction pipe, but also holds the catalyst support securely and allows the entry of the product of the reaction into the central pipe from the catalyst chamber as free from pressure loss as possible. The device is readily removable in order to empty out the catalyst. The introduction of the catalyst may be effected without special de- 3,539,304 Patented Nov. 10, 1970 vices and the central pipe may be cleaned of deposited products.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawing the figure is a somewhat diagrammatic view in vertical section of the bottom of a reaction furnace through which extends a fragment of a reaction pipe in which a removable insulated central pipe extends.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT With the device according to the invention, the product of the reaction enters a central pipe 3 below a catalyst grate, which consists of supporting rings 6 arranged in the shape of a cone, through a great number of vertical slits 7. The central pipe 3 extends through an insulating box, which is filled with an insulating material. The weight of the catalyst is transmitted through the grate to the supporting pipe of the insulating box and from there to the reaction pipe.

Through an opening in the bottom 1 of the reaction furnace extends a reaction pipe 2. From the lower end of each reaction pipe, a central or contact pipe 3 extends to somewhat above the floor of the reaction furnace. On a supporting plate 4 which is attached to the upper part of the central pipe 3, are brackets 5 and these hold supporting rings 6 or a grate arranged in the form of a cone. Between the supporting plate 4 and the upper closed end of the central pipe 3 are a number of vertical slots 7 for the passage of the product of the reaction into the central pipe 3. The space between central pipe 3 and supporting pipe 8 is filled with thermal insulation material 9. The supporting pipe 8 itself is attached at one end to the plate 4 and at the other end to a supporting disk or plate 10. The load of the catalyst and supporting construction is transmitted to the reaction pipe 2 through the supporting pipe 8 and a supporting disk 10, which has a bayonet type connection with lug means 10:: by which upon turning movement the disk 10 can be freed from the lug means. The insulation of the reaction pipe 2 below the supporting disk 10 is achieved through shaped parts 12 and thermal insulation material 13. Above the supporting disk 10- the space between supporting pipe '8 and the reaction pipe 2 is likewise filled with insulation material 11.

To enable removal of the catalyst, insulation shaped parts 12 are removed and then by turning the central pipe 3 the supporting disk 10 is loosened from the bayonet-like connection with the lugs 10a. Now the entire supporting construction, including the central pipe 3, can be drawn out downwards and the catalyst removed. The shaped parts 12, which are held by a bayonet-like connection with lug members 14 on the inside of the reaction pipe 2 have been previously removed.

What we claim is:

1. Device for supporting the catalyst in a reaction pipe installed vertically in a furnace for carrying out catalytic processes, said pipe being arranged with its lower end projecting through the bottom of the furnace, the improvement which comprises means for supporting the catalyst at the lower end portion of the reaction pipe, said supporting means comprising a support pipe, a grate at the upper end of said support pipe, brackets on which said grate rests, an upper supporting plate to which said brackets are attached, said supporting plate being attached to the upper end of said support pipe, said support pipe being arranged in the lower part of the reaction pipe in such manner that said upper end of the support pipe is on the same level as the furnace bottom, a lower supporting plate attached to the lower end of said support pipe, said lower end of the support pipe being disposed in the colder part of the reaction pipe outside of the furnace, a bayonet-type connection between said lower supporting plate and said reaction pipe, said connection including lugs on the inner surface of said reaction pipe, said support pipe having an outer diameter smaller than the radial distance of said lugs, insulating material filling the space between said reaction pipe and said support pipe, insulating, material filling the support pipe in such a way that there is a continuous hollow space inwardly of said support pipe between said upper and lower supporting plates, and a central pipe in said hollow space and passing through said lower supporting plate to provide a reaction product outlet.

4 2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which said grate comprises a plurality of spaced rings in the form of an inverted cone.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,987,903 1/1935 Houdry 23-288 2,288,951 7/ 1942 Jones et al 23-288 2,683,654 7/1954 Bergman 23-288 3,163,498 12/1964 Lisankie et a1. 23-288 3,127,248 3/ 1964 Koniewiez et al. 23-288 3,172,739 3/1965 Koniewiez 23-288 3,231,339 1/1966 Murthy et a1. 23290 JOSEPH SCOVRONEK, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 

